JPS6146512A - Pen for input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate a feeling of a stroke of the upward/downward movement of the pen during writing operation, and improve writing performance by turning on a switch for the 1st stage under weak pen pressure and turning on a switch for the 2nd stage under strong pen pressure, and detecting the pen pressure in two stages. CONSTITUTION:Pressure when applied through a pen shaft 2 is applied to a rubber switch 3 and pressure sensitive conductive rubber 4. Then, the flexion part 3b of the switch 3 flexes under low pen pressure firstly to press a contact part 3e against the opposite electrode parts 5b of an opposite electrode plate 5, and electric conduction induced between the opposite electrodes to turn on the 1st- stage switch. Further, when the push pressure from the pen shaft 2 increases, the strong push pressure from the pen shaft 2 is applied through the pen shaft 2, switch 3, electrode plate 5, spacer 7, and opposite electrodes 6. Consequently, conductive particles in the rubber 4 contact one another and the rubber 4 becomes electrically conductive to cause electric conduction between the opposite electrodes of the opposite electrode part 6b of the electrode plate 6 contacting it, thereby turning on the 2nd-stage switch. Thus, the pen pressure is detected in two stages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device pen used in computer input devices such as coordinate input devices and digitizers.

Conventional Structure and Problems There is often used as a computer input terminal device a coordinate input device in which characters, figures, etc. are drawn with a pen, and the pen position is read as coordinates on an input panel surface. In such coordinate input devices, electromagnetic coupling between a pen and an input panel surface is often used as a coordinate detection method. By spatially coupling the pen and the input panel surface in this way, the shape of the pen tip, dirt on the input panel surface, etc. have less influence on coordinate detection, making it possible to provide a highly reliable device. However, on the other hand, even if the pen is separated from the input panel surface, a connection exists between them, so coordinates can be input even if the pen does not touch the input panel surface. Therefore, conventionally, a microswitch that is linked to the pen tip is attached to the pen, and the microswitch is activated by the pressure of the pen tip to detect contact between the pen and the input panel surface.

In such a configuration, there is a problem in that the vertical movement of the pen and the opening/closing of the switch cause a clicking sensation, and that it is difficult to write because the input traces are cut off when inputting delicate characters, figures, etc.

On the other hand, as the applications of such input devices expand, pens for input devices are not only able to detect the presence or absence of contact with the input panel surface, but also have the ability to distinguish between two levels of contact pressure, that is, pen pressure. There are many things that are convenient. For example, when inputting handwritten characters, when drawing letters or figures, or moving the cursor, use light pen pressure to turn on the first stage switch, and then use strong pen pressure to fix the cursor on the second stage switch. There are uses such as turning it on.

In such usage, use a pen with a large vertical stroke when the second stage switch is activated,
If the second stage switch is activated while drawing characters or figures, a problem arises in that the pen moves up and down considerably, making it difficult to write. On the other hand, in order to eliminate such problems,
If the force required to operate the second-stage switch is sufficiently larger than the pen pressure from writing, then when turning on the second-stage switch and fixing the cursor, you will have to press the pen against the input panel surface with a strong force. There are operational problems in that the switch is heavy and difficult to use.

Purpose of the Invention The purpose of the present invention is to detect the contact between the pen and the input panel surface without feeling the difficulty of writing due to the awkward vertical movement of the pen as described above, and to detect the contact pressure in two stages. An object of the present invention is to provide a pen for an input device that can perform the following functions.

Structure of the Invention The pen for an input device of the present invention includes a pen tip that comes into contact with the input panel surface during an input operation, and two switches linked to the pen tip that have different switch operating loads. By applying the given pressing force to the two switches, the structure is configured to detect the contact of the pen tip with the input panel surface and the change in contact pressure in two stages, and the first stage switch detects the input of the pen tip, The pressing force applied to the pen tip required to detect contact with the board surface is 205E to 1o.
The vertical stroke of the pen that occurs with this first step switch operation is 0a4ta.
The second stage switch is configured as shown below, and furthermore, the second stage switch applies the pressing force applied to the pen tip necessary to detect the contact of the pen tip with the input panel surface to the pen tip similar to this of the first stage switch. The applied pressing force area is configured to be greater than 90P and less than eooy, and the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen accompanying the operation of the second stage switch is controlled in accordance with the operation of the first stage switch. It is designed so that the stroke is equal to or less than the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen, and it detects two levels of pen pressure without feeling the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen such as the pen shaft or case. be.

In the present invention, the operating load f of the first stage switch that detects contact with the input board surface with weak writing pressure: 20y to 1oO
The reason for limiting the y range is that if the value is 20 y or less, the switch will turn on just by vibrating the pen, or it will turn on just by lightly touching the input panel surface during operation, making malfunctions more likely. It's for a reason. 100 again
This is because if you write with y or more in the same way as a normal writing instrument, it will be difficult to turn on and input errors will occur.

Also, the reason why the stroke due to the vertical movement of the pen associated with the operation of the first stage switch is limited to 0.4 strokes or less is as follows.
．． This is because if it exceeds 4rtan, the user will feel the strokes caused by the vertical movement of the pen when writing, making it difficult to write, resulting in poor operability.

A second device that detects contact with the input board surface with even stronger writing pressure.
The reason why the operating load of the second stage switch is controlled to be more than 90g greater than the operating load of the first stage switch and less than eooy is that if the difference is less than 90y, the operating load of the second stage switch and the first The operating load of the stage switch approaches,
This is because when the cursor is moved with weak writing pressure, the second stage switch is turned on as the writing pressure becomes a little stronger, making it easy to make an erroneous input in which the cursor is fixed. Moreover, if it exceeds eoop, strong writing pressure will be required during the above-mentioned operation to fix the cursor, making the operation difficult. Also, the reason why the stroke due to the vertical movement of the pen associated with the operation of the second stage switch is limited to be equal to or smaller than the stroke due to the vertical movement of the pen associated with the operation of the first stage switch. If the stroke of the second stage switch is larger than the stroke of the first stage switch, the vertical movement of the pen will increase if the second stage switch is also turned on while inputting characters or figures. This is because it becomes easier to feel the strokes, resulting in poor writing performance.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a contact detection portion with an input panel surface at the tip of a pen for an input device in an embodiment of the present invention. 1st
In the figure, 1 is the pickup coil for detecting the magnetic field generated from the input panel surface, 2 is the pen shaft, 13 is the entire pen case, 3 is the rubber switch for the first stage switch, and 6 is the first stage switch. Counter electrode plate for the switch, 4 is a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber for the second stage switch, 6 is a counter electrode plate for the second stage switch, 7Fi is for electrically insulating the counter electrode plates 4 and 6. It is a spacer. 9 is rubber switch 3
and pressure-sensitive conductive rubber4. The counter electrode plate 6.degree. 6 and the spacer 7 are stacked together in the case 13, and the adjusting screw is similar to a clamping body that adjusts the pressure contact state of these with the pen shaft 2. 11 is a lead wire attached to the counter electrode plate 5 for the first stage switch, and 12 is a lead wire attached to the counter electrode plate 6 for the second stage switch, both of which are connected to the spacer 7. It is installed in the inner wall of the case 13 through a hole in the side and is taken out upward through the tar.

FIG. 2 shows the pen shaft 2 in FIG. rubber switch 3
．． Pressure sensitive conductive rubber 4. Counter electrode plates 6, 6, spacer 7,
FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the assembled configuration of the switch section including the adjustment screw 9 and the respective structures thereof. The rubber switch 3 is composed of a push button part 3a, a bent part 3b made of silicone rubber, a contact part 3e made of conductive rubber, and a leg part 3C made of polyethylene film.
The operating load for turning on this first stage switch is the bending portion 3b.
207 by selecting the rubber hardness and thickness, and the inner diameter of the ring-shaped leg portion 3C. The counter electrode plate 6 includes a substrate 5a made of epoxy and a glass core;
It consists of a pair of opposing electrode sections provided on the substrate 5a of b, terminal sections 5C and 6d, and through-hole sections ese and 6f, and one of the opposing electrode sections 6b is electrically connected to the terminal section 6C through the through-hole section 6e. The other side of the counter electrode part 5b is electrically connected to the terminal part 6d through the through hole part 5f.
ing. A lead wire 11 is attached to the terminal portion 6C and csdVC. Further, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4 is for the second stage switch, and this pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4 is provided with a spacer 8 for sensitivity adjustment.

The counter electrode plate 6 includes a substrate made of e& epoxy and a glass core, a pair of counter electrode parts 6b, terminal parts 6c and 6d,
It consists of through hole parts 6e and 6f, one of the opposing electrode parts 6b is electrically connected to the terminal part 6C through the through hole part 6e, and the other part of the opposing electrode part 6b is connected to the through hole part 6.
The lead wire 12 is electrically connected to the terminal portion 6d through the terminal portion f, and a lead wire 12 is attached to the terminal portions 6C and 6d. The adjustment screw 9 is provided with ten driver grooves. The operating load for turning on the second stage switch is adjusted to 110y by selecting the thickness and inner diameter of the ring-shaped sensitivity adjustment spacer 8, or the radius of the tip of the adjustment screw 9.

In the pen configured as described above, when pressure is applied through the pen shaft 2, the pressing force is transmitted to the rubber switch 3 and the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4. Then, start with a relatively low pressure.
The bent portion 3b of the rubber switch 3, which is a stage switch, bends, and the contact portion 3e is pressed into contact with the counter electrode portion 6b of the counter electrode plate 6, so that they face each other. When the pressing force from the pen shaft 2 further increases, the pen shaft 2. Rubber switch 3. Counter electrode plate 5. A relatively strong pressing force from the pen barrel 2 is applied to the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4 through the spacer 7 and the counter electrode 6.

As a result, the conductive particles contained within the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4 come into contact with each other, and the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4 becomes an electrical conductor 9, and the counter electrode plate 6 in contact with this pressure-sensitive conductive rubber
Electrical continuity occurs between the opposing electrodes of the opposing electrode portion 6b of the second
The stage switch is turned on. As mentioned above, the first stage switch is turned on with relatively weak writing pressure, and the second stage switch is turned on with relatively strong writing pressure, so the contact pressure of the pen shaft to the input panel surface, that is, the writing pressure Detects pen pressure in two stages.

In the above embodiment, the stroke caused by the vertical movement of the pen shaft due to the operation of the first stage switch is the stroke of the rubber switch 3.
By setting the thickness (height) of the leg portion 3C to 0.1a, 0
．． 111I11. Similarly, the vertical stroke of the pen shaft due to the operation of the second stage opening switch is set to 0.1 m by setting the thickness of the sensitivity adjustment spacer 8 provided on the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4 to 0.1 m. With the pen of the present invention constructed as described above, the stroke caused by the vertical movement of the pen was not felt when writing, and the contact pressure of the pen on the input panel surface could be detected in two stages, resulting in excellent writing performance.

Example 2 The configuration of the switch part of the pen is the same as in Example 1 above, except that the operating load of the first stage switch is set to 1oOy by increasing the thickness of the bent part of the rubber switch 3.
The thickness of the leg of the rubber switch 3 is 0.4tta for the vertical movement stroke of the pen shaft 2 due to the operation of the stage switch.
By setting it to n, it was set to 0.4 cabinets. Furthermore, the operating load of the second stage switch is set to 600y by selecting the inner diameter and thickness of the sensitivity adjustment spacer 8 provided on the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 4.
The vertical movement stroke of the pen shaft 2 due to the operation of this second stage switch is determined by the thickness 'i' of the sensitivity adjustment spacer 8.
o, by setting it to 4m, it was set to 0.4 m. Regarding the pen of this embodiment which is within the scope of the present invention and has such a configuration,
When we investigated the writing performance, we found that the contact pressure of the pen against the input panel trap could be detected in two stages without feeling the vertical stroke of the pen when writing, and it was found to have excellent writing performance.

In addition, in a pen within the scope of the present invention, if the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen when the switch is activated is 0.4 +a or less, the reason why the above-mentioned stroke of the pen is not felt when writing is that the pen axis due to input operation This is because the stroke of the pen shaft is caused by compressing and bending the rubber elastic body that determines the operating load of the switch due to the pressing force from the switch. It has been confirmed through numerous experiments that it increases the However, even if a rubber elastic body is used as described above, if the vertical stroke of the pen is larger than 0.4 m, the stroke of the pen will be felt. For the above-mentioned reasons, by using a rubber elastic body to determine the operating load of the pen switch, writing performance is greatly improved compared to the case where a spring is used.

In addition, for the first stage switch, which is used to draw characters and figures with relatively light pen pressure and input the coordinates, if a rubber switch is used, it will be easier to use the switch than if pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is used. The durability of opening and closing is more than 10 times longer, and the occurrence rate of chattering is less than 1/1o, which is excellent. @When actually examining the pressure when drawing letters and figures using a pen, , the writing pressure was within the range of 110P to 280P. In addition, the cursor that has been moved by activating the first stage switch with relatively weak writing pressure is fixed by activating the second stage switch with relatively strong pressure, but at this time, the first stage switch When we investigated the maximum allowable operating load for the operator, we found that 600 y was the upper limit. If the operating load of the second stage switch exceeds eoop, the physical burden will increase and the hands, arms, etc. will become tired, which is undesirable.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, two switches with different operating loads are moved four times on the pen shaft, and writing pressure is applied to these switches from the pen shaft. ,
In addition, the above two switches are the first stage switch in which the operating load at which the switch is turned on is within the range of 20F to 100y, and the vertical stroke of the pen is 054g or less, and the other is the first stage switch. One switch has an operating load that is at least 909 times heavier than the first stage switch and less than eooy, and a second stage whose stroke produced by the pen is equal to or less than that of the first stage switch. By configuring it as an eye switch, you can input handwritten characters or figures drawn with normal pen pressure, or move the cursor by turning on the first switch, and the pressure is strong enough not to be physically taxing. The cursor can be fixed using pen pressure by turning on the second stage switch. Further, when the cursor is moved, the second stage switch is not turned on and there is no possibility of erroneous input. Furthermore, when drawing characters, etc., there is no difficulty in writing due to the vertical movement of the pen.

As mentioned above, the original F! In A, a multifunctional pen for an input device is obtained which has good operability and can reliably realize two-step detection of the contact pressure of the pen on the input panel surface.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a contact detection section according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view showing the assembled structure of the main parts of FIG. 1. 1...Pickup coil, 2...Pen barrel, 3...Rubber switch, 4...
Pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, 5°6... Counter electrode plate. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
figure

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A pen shaft that comes into contact with the input panel surface during input operation,
It is equipped with two switches with different switch operating loads that are linked to this, and by applying the pressing force applied to the pen shaft with input operations to the two switches, the contact and contact pressure of the pen tip to the input panel surface can be reduced. It is configured to detect changes in two stages, and one of the two switches is a switch that operates with weak pen pressure (hereinafter referred to as the first stage switch). The pressing force of the pen shaft required to detect contact with the input panel surface is 20
g to 100 g, and the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen caused by the operation of this first stage switch is 0.4 mm or less, and the other one of the two switches is The switch is activated by strong pen pressure (hereinafter referred to as the second stage switch), and the pressing force applied to the pen shaft required to detect the contact of the pen shaft of this second stage switch with the input panel surface is the second stage switch. The pressure force of the first stage switch is greater than 90g and is within 600g, and the vertical stroke of the pen caused by the operation of the second stage switch is A pen for an input device, characterized in that the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen is equal to or less than the stroke of the vertical movement of the pen that occurs when the first stage switch is operated. (2) A pen for an input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the second stage switch, a rubber elastic body is used as a component that determines the operating load of the switch. (3) The pen for an input device according to claim 1, wherein the two switches use a rubber elastic body as a component that determines the operating loads of the two switches. (4) The first stage switch has a space formed by a bent part made of a rubber elastic body and a leg part, and is opposite to a rubber switch in which a contact made of an electrically conductive material is provided at the top of the space. 2. The input device pen according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode plate having electrodes.